And then I started laughing.
The kind of laughing that turns into crying and back into laughing. I sat down right there on the floor in the middle of forty little bags of ancient wheat and laughed until I couldn’t breathe. Thomas sat down next to me and laughed too. Then Harold started, his big booming laugh. And finally Eleanor, with tears running down her cheeks, laughing into her cardigan sleeve.
My phone buzzed on the floor.
Margot: CLAIRE. UPDATE. NOW. ARE YOU IN JAIL
I took a picture of the open bag and sent it to her.
Me: It’s einkorn.
Margot: what the hell is einkorn
Me: An ancient wheat. It’s flour. It’s all flour. My mother-in-law is a sourdough nerd.
There was a long pause.
Margot: I just told the charge nurse my sister’s in-laws were drug dealers
Margot: I have to go apologize to her
Margot: I hate you
Margot: bring me bread
When we finally got our breath back, Eleanor reached over and picked up the Tupperware she’d dropped on the floor.
“The banana bread,” she sniffled. “It’s made with the R-07. It’s sourdough banana bread. My mother’s recipe. I baked it yesterday afternoon in our new oven. It was the very first thing I made in our new kitchen. It was supposed to be a thank-you.”
She opened the lid.
The smell that came out of that container filled the whole room. Warm. Sweet. A little tangy. Brown sugar and banana and something deep underneath that I didn’t have a word for.
That smell.
That was the warm, yeasty ghost I’d been smelling in the corners of that room for six months.
“Can I?” I said.
She handed me the whole loaf.
I tore off the end with my fingers, right there on the floor, and ate it.
It was the best thing I’d ever put in my mouth.
Ethan Blake is a skilled Creative Content Specialist with a talent for crafting engaging and thought-provoking narratives. With a strong background in storytelling and digital content creation, Ethan brings a unique perspective to his role at TheArchivists, where he curates and produces captivating content for a global audience.
Ethan holds a degree in Communications from Zurich University, where he developed his expertise in storytelling, media strategy, and audience engagement. Known for his ability to blend creativity with analytical precision, he excels at creating content that not only entertains but also connects deeply with readers.
At TheArchivists, Ethan specializes in uncovering compelling stories that reflect a wide range of human experiences. His work is celebrated for its authenticity, creativity, and ability to spark meaningful conversations, earning him recognition among peers and readers alike.
Passionate about the art of storytelling, Ethan enjoys exploring themes of culture, history, and personal growth, aiming to inspire and inform with every piece he creates. Dedicated to making a lasting impact, Ethan continues to push boundaries in the ever-evolving world of digital content.